The Kerala government is preparing a ₹450-crore development package for Sabarimala, with ₹15 crore earmarked exclusively for road safety measures ahead of the forthcoming pilgrimage season, Public Works Minister P.K. Basheer has said.

Chairing a review meeting here on Tuesday (July 21, 2026) at the Sreerama Saketham Hall in Pampa on the Public Works department’s (PWD) preparations for the annual pilgrimage, Mr. Basheer said the package envisaged comprehensive infrastructure development of the pilgrimage corridor. The Minister said pending road works from previous years would be completed on priority to ensure a safe and hassle-free journey for pilgrims. Crash barriers, speed breakers, reflectors and signboards would be installed along the routes, while vegetation on either side of the roads would be cleared to improve visibility and enhance safety.

A joint meeting of PWD, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Kerala Water Authority (KWA) officials, led by the District Collector, will be convened to coordinate the execution of the works. Renovation and maintenance of government rest houses in the region will also be completed before the commencement of the Mandalam season.

Mr. Basheer said all projects will be implemented with due regard to environmental sustainability. A separate meeting involving legislators representing constituencies connected with the pilgrimage will be held in Thiruvananthapuram to address region-specific issues.

He said the review at Pampa, which followed a meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram on July 16, was aimed at ensuring that all works were planned in advance and completed on schedule. Periodic review meetings would be held to monitor progress, and officials had been directed to complete all works well before the start of the Mandalam season.

The Minister also announced that the Union government had accorded in-principle approval for the proposed two-km ropeway connecting Pampa Hilltop and Pandithavalam.

Published - July 21, 2026 07:26 pm IST